Nicole leaves for the airforce


I've known Janet and her two girls Nicole and Morgan for a long time. I used to work with Janet and I've known Janet and her kids long enough to remember when her girls were just very young teenagers. Now their young ladies. Her oldest Nicole is leaving very soon for the airforce. I was asked to photograph some portraits of them before she left. It might be a long time before mom gets to see her and I thought, what a perfect opportunity to get creative and do something that this family will treasure forever. Here are some of my favorite shots from the shoot!
An emotional parting!

Nicole says bye!

They love each other.

My favorite family portrait from that day!

Thanks to Janet for allowing me to capture a very special and bittersweet time in their lives!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview with Isaac Ansley - Washburn Rural Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
  Isaac’s senior session was such a fun one! We started at the baseball field at Washburn Rural, where his love for the game really stood out. He lit up talking about it, and you could tell it’s a big part of who he is. Isaac was so personable and easy to talk to—he had a great smile and was just a genuinely nice guy. The conversation flowed naturally, and I felt totally at ease around him. After the field, we headed to Clarion Woods for some nature shots, and then finished the evening at B&B Theatres just as the sun went down. That spot was perfect—the background lights made for some beautiful and unique photos to end the session. Isaac’s energy and kindness made the whole shoot feel relaxed and enjoyable. I’m excited for what’s ahead for him! T.H. Peterson:   What are your plans after high school? Isaac:   I’m planning to go to college to play baseball and earn a degree in healthcare. T.H. P.:   What classes are you glad to be done with? Isaac:   Physics ...
Read more

Interview with Brody Haas - Washburn Rural Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Brody’s senior session was such a great time. We started downtown Topeka at sunset, and right away he had the best smile. He’s got such a friendly look that makes him easy to be around, and we laughed a lot as we went. The light that evening was perfect, and it felt like everything lined up for his pictures to turn out amazing. After downtown, we went over to Kaw River Park and got some shots by the water. The sun was shining through just right, and those ended up being some of my favorite photos. Brody was so easy to work with, and his pictures are some of the best senior photos I’ve taken this year. T.H. Peterson: What are your plans after high school? Brody: My Plans after high school are still undecided but I want to attend college for forensic science. T.H. P:   What classes are you glad to be done with? Brody:   I'm glad I finished most of my math and english classes as they were super hard. T.H. P:   A teacher you like at Rural? Brody:   I really ...
Read more

Phillips Barker Family on the blog! Amazing family generation - Go Royals! Topeka's Best Family Photographers

Image
We had such a fun evening with this amazing family at Shawnee Lake! They wore their Royals gear and looked great in the warm sunset light. We took a mix of posed and candid photos, and they made the session so easy with their laughter and close bond. It was clear how much they enjoy being together, and that always makes for the best photos. To end the night, they brought out sparklers and fireworks as the sun was setting behind the lake. It was such a cool way to wrap up the session, and it made for some really special pictures. I had a great time with them and loved capturing these moments. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed taking them! To book your own session, please call Tommy or Holly at 785.793.2492 or 785.213.0812 or email tommy@thpetersonphoto.com  
Read more

Interview with Jordy Heim - Washburn Rural Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Jordy’s senior session was such a great time! He’s a football player for Washburn Rural High School, and honestly, every picture we took of him looked amazing. He’s super photogenic, has great hair, and an easygoing personality that made the whole afternoon a breeze. A couple years ago, I photographed his twin brothers, and they set the bar high. But I told his mom—Jordy’s right up there with them… maybe even better, to be honest! We had perfect weather, a gorgeous sunset, and visited a few different locations that suited him perfectly. Jordy fit the scene everywhere we went, and his relaxed, laid-back nature made it all so much fun. Before we knew it, the session was over, but we had so many great shots that captured who he is right now. I’m thrilled we were able to create these images for him and his family. I hope Jordy has an awesome senior year—he seems like someone who values the important things in life, enjoys the moment, and still puts in the hard work. That’s a winning combi...
Read more

Happy birthday Mia!! Beautiful Milestone session at Ward Meade Park - Topeka's Best Children's Portrait Photographer

Image
Today we celebrated Mia’s 5th birthday with a photo session at Ward-Mead Park, and it was the perfect setting. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph this sweet girl since she was just 2 years old, and watching her grow has been such a joy. Every session with Mia is fun and full of laughter. She is so photogenic and knows exactly how to share those adorable smiles and giggles that make everyone’s heart melt. Mia has such a natural charm in front of the camera, and she makes my job so easy. Each year, I’m reminded how special it is to capture these milestones for her and her family. These photos are not just pictures — they’re little treasures of her personality at each stage of life. I’m so thankful to have Mia and her family as clients, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for this amazing little girl.  To book your own session, please call Tommy or Holly at 785.793.2492 or 785.213.0812 or email tommy@thpetersonphoto.com
Read more

Stetson's newborn session - Interview with mom - Topeka's Best Newborn Photographers

Image
Baby Stetson came into the studio recently, and he was just so adorable! He had the sweetest little face and gave us so many great expressions. Most newborns sleep through their session, but not Stetson—he didn’t want to miss a thing. He kind of dozed off a few times, but he kept waking up to look around like he had major FOMO! It was really cute to see how curious he seemed. Even though he didn’t want to sleep, he did amazing. A lot of babies get fussy when they’re awake for a session, but Stetson was so calm and easy to work with. He made the session fun with all his little faces and looks. You could just tell how in love his mom and dad are with him—it was really special to capture those moments. I’m so glad I got to photograph this sweet little guy! T.H. Peterson: How did you come up with Stetson's name? Marissa: We first heard it in 2018, and it just stuck. T.H. P:   What did you think when you first saw him? Marissa:   How relieved I was that he was okay and bre...
Read more

How to Prepare for a Photo Session - Topeka's Best Family Portrait Photographers

Image
Select outfits that will make for a timeless portrait. Choose practical clothing items, and keep the location and time of year in mind.  Select clothing items and accessories that are not too distracting or that you will have to adjust often during the session (think long necklaces or ruffled tops on a windy day).  Keep in mind the weather, wind speed, and humidity/chance of rain.  If you have littles, bring them some snacks to help give them incentives during the session.  This can help us to get kids to cooperate and make or break a session.  If it is windy, wear your hair up.  Trimming your bangs/hair slightly to keep them out of your eyes is a great idea, too! Use product like mousse, gel, pomade, and hairspray to tame your mane!    Pick shoes that will be easy to walk in at the location of the session.  For example, high heels are not recommended for sunflower shoots, but would look great in an urban/downtown ...
Read more

Interview with Cash - Shawnee Heights Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Cash’s senior session was such a fun one! We started downtown and captured some great shots with the city vibe, then wrapped things up in a beautiful country setting near the Governor’s Mansion. The evening light was perfect, and it really brought out the warm, natural feel of the photos. Cash is incredibly photogenic, which made my job easy, and every shot seemed to come together effortlessly. I’ve had the privilege of photographing Cash and his family for several years, so it was really special to see him again for such an important milestone. I was impressed with his athleticism and could tell he’s been putting in a lot of hard work at the gym. Through all his accomplishments, he’s still the same friendly and respectful young man I’ve always known. I truly enjoyed spending time with him and his family, and I’m excited to share some of my favorite images from his session. T.H. Peterson: What are your plans after high school? Cash: I am still exploring all of my options and I have...
Read more

Interview with MaKayla Connor - Silver Lake Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing MaKayla from Silver Lake during an early morning sunrise session at her school. We started on the softball field, and the sky put on the most colorful display — pinks, oranges, and purples that made the perfect backdrop for her softball photos. You could clearly see how much she loves the sport in every shot, and the sunrise made the whole scene feel really special. After we finished on the field, we headed inside the school to capture some awesome wrestling photos. Even though MaKayla recently injured her thumb, she didn’t let that slow her down one bit. She showed so much strength and determination, and it was inspiring to see her passion for both sports come through in her photos. It was truly an amazing session from start to finish! T.H. Peterson: What are you up to this summer? MaKayla: Lots of softball and hanging out with friends and family! T.H. P: What classes are you looking forward to most your senior year? MaKayla:...
Read more

Interview with Nathan Selm - Washburn Rural Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Nate’s senior session was such a fun one to photograph! He’s a Washburn Rural senior who plays both football and baseball, so of course we had to start at the fields. The evening light was perfect, and the setting couldn’t have been better to highlight his love for sports. Nate was a natural in front of the camera — confident, relaxed, and very easy to work with. While I usually try to get lots of smiles from my seniors, Nate had this awesome serious look that came so naturally. It gave his photos a strong, intense vibe that I loved. After the sports shots, we headed downtown to an industrial-style spot with an abandoned feel. The mix of textures and backgrounds gave us a totally different style from the first half of the session, and Nate nailed it there too. He’s incredibly photogenic, friendly, and easygoing, which made the whole session such a joy. I’m so excited to share a few of my favorites from his amazing senior portraits! T.H. Peterson:   What are your plans after high s...
Read more